How to tell if old carpet is making you sick and needs replacing

Old carpet can harbour a world of hidden nasties, including dander, mould and insect waste. Luckily, there are a few simple ways to tell if it’s past its best before date.

Don’t vacuum regularly? There could be a whole world of nasties lurking underfoot.

Old carpet can harbour a range of hidden problems, such as mould, pet hair and insect waste that can increase the risk of respiratory problems, allergic reactions and a general feeling of ill health.

Luckily there are some easy steps you can take to determine whether your carpet is past its best before date or whether a deep clean is all that is needed.

CAN OLD CARPET MAKE YOU SICK?

Carpet Institute of Australia executive director Andy Martin says it’s not old carpet that poses a risk – it’s poor maintenance that is the real hazard.

“Build-up of soils in the carpet can lead to microbial growth where a properly maintained carpet will not allow this to happen,” he says.

“Well-cared-for carpets are unlikely to cause health issues.”

In addition to microbes, the build up of pet hair, loose carpet fibres and dust mite casings can cause allergic reactions and trigger asthma symptoms for many people.

Regular vacuuming is essential for healthy living. Picture: hipages

HOW TO PREVENT PROBLEMS

This is why regular vacuuming with a HEPA filter, which doesn’t allow particles to go back out into the air, is crucial, says hipages tradie member and owner of Carpet Cleaning Professionals Sydney, Bill Morris.

“Personally, I think vacuuming is even more important than cleaning your carpet,” he says, adding that vacuuming removes 60 per cent of soiling before a professional deep clean and is an important step in the process.

He recommends vacuuming every day so that airborne particles don’t have the chance to build up.

The Carpet Institute of Australia advises carpets should be deep cleaned every 12 to 18 months to keep them in top condition.

When it comes to deep cleaning, it pays to call on an expert. Picture: hipages

HIDDEN MOULD

But, even well-cared for carpets could be hiding a bigger problem.

Homes that have poor subfloor ventilation could be harbouring moisture between the underlay and the floor, resulting in the growth of mould, Mr Morris says.

“If moisture gets trapped between the underlay and the carpet, that causes a lot of problems,” he says.

This becomes even more of a problem if there is mould growing on the walls and ceilings.

If a person cleans mould from surfaces in their home, chances are, the particles will become airborne and eventually settle on the carpet.

“When they hit the carpet, if there’s moisture in the subfloor, that’s like fuel for mould,” he says.

Mould can drop into the carpet when being cleaned from the walls and ceiling. Picture: Ian Currie

SIGNS YOU HAVE UNHEALTHY CARPET

Odour is the most obvious sign old carpet is becoming a problem, says hipages tradie member and director of Hi Tech Flooring Solutions, Jayden Thompson.

“It could be a musty or unpleasant smell that is coming from the carpet,” he says.

Other signs include dark spots on the carpets that can’t be removed by scrubbing, discolouration and water marks from previous water damage.

An excessive build-up of dust on the carpet, especially around the edges, could indicate a dust mite problem.

“If there are stains, visible mould growth, or excessive shedding from your carpet, it’s a good idea to act,” says Mr Martin.

He says the presence of allergy-related symptoms doesn’t always relate to carpet.

“International research has been conducted to show that if people are experiencing allergies, it is most likely to come from bedding as opposed to carpets,” he says.

Allergies don’t always come from dirty carpet.

A WORD ABOUT UNDERLAY

Old underlay can also pose a health risk because of the presence of VOCs (Volatile organic compounds), says Mr Thompson.

These off-gas into the environment and can affect air quality.

However, newer underlays don’t pose the same risk.

“Australian manufacturers have been doing VOC tests since at least the early 2000s and have remarkably low VOC numbers,” says Mr Martin. “They both have underlays that have antimicrobial qualities which help to provide a healthier floor covering system.”

Sometimes mould grows under the carpet underlay.

TO CLEAN OR REPLACE

If your carpet is showing signs of significant wear, it’s time to think about replacing it, says Mr Thompson. He says while regular cleaning can control the amount of allergens and microbes it accumulates, there does come a point where cleaning will only get you so far. He has seen several clients with old carpets complain of increased sneezing at home.

“They’re exposed to mould spores or even pollen trapped under the old carpet and regular vacuuming and even deep cleaning won’t be able to remove it,” he says.

“Basically the carpet has reached its potential and needs to be replaced.”

Air purifiers can sometimes help allergy sufferers.

The Carpet Institute of Australia recommends replacing carpets every 10-15 years depending on “factors like high-traffic areas, the presence of pets, and individual sensitivities,” Mr Martin says.

If the carpet appears in good nick but family members are suffering from allergies, it’s worth getting it deep cleaned. Mr Morris says it’s important to hire someone with expertise in carpet cleaning (not just a general cleaner) who will use the best and safest chemicals for the job.

He has needed to perform a chemical rinse on a client’s carpet because the previous cleaner had used chemicals that were aggravating a family member’s asthma.

Another client had complained of sinus problems after moving to a new home even though they had the carpet cleaned twice because the particles were being recirculated into the air. Once they filtered the air with an air scrubber, the problem went away.

Originally published as How to tell if old carpet is making you sick and needs replacing